At the beginning of the 3rd episode, Stella (Gillian Anderson) and her team continue scouring through Paul’s lockup. Stella seems mesmerized by the writings in Paul’s notebook. Back at the hospital, Nurse Sheridan (Aisling Bea) checks in on Spector (Jamie Dornan). Stella meets back up with her team and tells them that Paul may have had other victims. She doesn’t believe Fiona was Paul’s first victim. Paul gets a visit from a psychiatrist. He is able to recall the name of his nurse, as well as details about his past life and his family. Although he is familiar with Facebook, he has no idea what Twitter is. Paul tells the woman about his mother and father, while Stella and her team look at photographs of their evidence. Stella reveals that Paul had previously dressed up and posed a mannequin.

 

They also observe pictures of Paul dressed in drag and bondage. Afterwards, Stella and her team are given a list of children’s homes to investigate. They need to find the one where Paul stayed after his mother died. Paul tells the woman about a memory with his daughter, while Sally (Bronagh Waugh) looks through old photographs. She swallows a handful of pills. Back at the hospital, Paul tells the psychiatrist about his memory loss and how it feels. He admits he doesn’t feel like he has a son and doesn’t know why he is in trouble with the police. However, he confirms he feels like a good person. Paul is told his anterograde memory is working well and everything he has forgotten can be relearned. He replies by admitting the ownership is gone.

 

Stella receives a call from Paul’s doctor and learns about his condition. She is also told about Paul’s long-term memory issues. Nurse Sheridan helps Paul stand for the first time in many days. Stella has a consultation with ACC Burns (John Lynch) and the other higher ups. They discuss Sally’s charges. Stella admits it would be a good ideal to drop them, but she is quickly overruled. Stella also tells the others about Paul losing 6 or so years of memories. They believe he is doing so for his own benefit. Next, Wallace (Ruth Bradley) and Healy (Aidan McArdle) meet Paul for the first time. Paul learns about the charges levied against him. He is shown pictures of Tyler and the women. He denies knowing any of them except for Rose. Paul is told he has made a confession and will be required to appear in court the following day.

Paul shakes hands with Healy, before he exits. Kiera returns seconds later. At the office, PC Ferrington (Niamh McGrady) tells Stella that Rose (Valene Kane) has arrived. Stella orders her to prepare the interview room. They speak with Rose together. During their conversation, we see Paul stand up and stretch. Rose tells Stella and Ferrington about her abduction and time in captivity. She admits she was never sexually assaulted. She also confirms she never saw Paul perform any sex acts on himself. Rose shows wounds on her arms. She is told it looked like she was trying to write “I Love You”. In the morning, Stella watches a news report about Paul’s case. At the hospital, Kiera helps Paul get dressed. She tells him she is worried it might be too soon for him. He insists he will be fine. Katie (Aisling Franciosi) arrives at the courthouse in hopes of seeing Paul.

 

Stella arrives followed shortly by Paul’s attorneys. Paul is escorted to a hospital room, where he will attend court via a camera. He is escorted inside and told to stare into the camera. The judge speaks with Paul and asks him several questions. He is hesitant to answer on question and that opens the door for Healy to explain the memory loss. As the hearing continues, Paul seems to freak out. Kiera watches from outside the room and seems sincerely worried about her patient. Afterwards, Katie watches as Paul’s attorneys make their exit. Sally listens to a radio report about the hearing that night.

 

Sally also hears about her own crimes and her upcoming hearing. Stella receives a phone call from August Larson (Krister Henriksson), who will soon be Paul’s daughter. She provides him with details about Paul, while also trying to sway his opinion. During this time, Paul asks Kiera why she is so nice to him. She insists she is just doing her job. Paul learns that he was crying during his surgery. He tells his nurse about hearing his mother and daughter, during the event. Sally warms up milk and seems to add a few tablets to the mixture. She forces Olivia (Sarah Beattie) and her brother to drink the concoction.

Paul speaks with the nurse about life and death. He admits life is your only true possession. During this time, Stella gets a visit from DS Anderson (Colin Morgan). He tells her about a man named David Alvarez, who was in the same orphanage as Paul. The man is locked away for a murder and Anderson believes Paul might’ve been involved. Sally loads the kids into the vehicle and heads for the beach. The kids are passed out in the back. The vehicle is headed straight for the water. Back at the hospital, Kieran tells Paul that she will pray for him.

 

The Fall Review

The Fall’s 3rd season has attempted to become cerebral. It plays out very well and has proven to be very bleak. However, it has become somewhat of a bore. Paul’s antics are interesting enough. Despite his hideous past, it is hard not to sympathize with the Belfast Strangler. Unfortunately, the rest of the series has been uneventful. Stella and her task force’s side of the story has been majorly boring.

Nonetheless, I am still eager to find out what happens. No matter how much of a burden The Fall becomes, I will stick with it till the end. A 6.5 out of 10 is deserved. Catch up with previous recaps of The Fall right now!